Search
About This Blog
Resources
Blog Roll
- Captain's Quarters
- Cliff Schecter
- CNN's Political Ticker
- Conservative Grapevine
- Crooks & Liars
- Daily Kos
- Drudge
- FactCheck.org
- Huffington Post
- Instapundit
- Little Green Footballs
- News Bloggers
- Political-Buzz
- Power Line
- RedState
- Slate - Trailhead
- Swampland
- Talking Points Memo
- The Daily Dish
- The Plank
- The Young Turks
- Wonkette
Huckabee/Colbert '08: On the Issues
Jan 10th 2008 11:08PM
Filed Under:eMike Huckabee, 2008 President, Humor, Stephen Colbert
With this stunning announcement, I thought there would be no better time than to examine the substance of Mike Huckabee, and try to figure out what effect this newly-formed ticket will have on the Republicans' Race to Their Own Houses, Which May or May Not Happen to be White.
Upon reflection, this should actually come as no surprise. When you think about it, who else could Huckabee have picked as a running mate? Despite huge support from Republican voters, especially relative to his campaign war chest, Mike Huckabee is still viewed as an outsider by the more mainstream Republican candidates.
Colbert, whose name is suspiciously french-sounding, correctly identifies a major reason for this. Huckabee has consistently displayed something approaching a compassionate attitude toward illegal Mexican children, notably at the CNN Youtube debate, while Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani engaged in a one-upping Sombrero Smash that would shame Lou Dobbs. Setting Huck apart from the other GOP hopefuls, however, is his tough stand on illegal Pakistani immigration.
About that. Huckabee took a lot of flak for conflating the Benazir Bhutto assassination with the illegal immigration crisis, with critics opining that it demonstrated a weak grasp of foreign policy. Colbert arrogantly tries to show Mike up with his resume´ of diplomacy at various Sandals resorts, completely ignoring Huck's sterling bona fides vis a vis his frequent visits to respected world body The International House of Pancakes.
Toward the interview, I think Mike may have bucked up his image a little with the Republican establishment by spurning Colbert's whimsical offer of a trip "all the way to the Altar!"
Many will try to paint this pairing as some kind of a joke, but in a post-New Hampshire world, is it? Is it? When all of the so-called "real" pundits said there was no way perennial frontrunner Hillary Clinton could possibly frontrun in New Hampshire, she proved them all wrong. Is it so crazy to think that a "Fundit" and a plain-speaking Baptist minister could ascend to become the losing ticket in the general election? At the risk of offending the freshly-minted running mates, let's see how this story "evolves."
On a slightly more serious note, I have thought long and hard (that's what she said) about my "Substance" series as it relates to the Republican candidates. Although I have no doubt that I can fairly present their positions, and am completely comfortable with the fairness of presenting clearly labeled opinions along with them, I think our readers are better served if someone with less of an ideological chasm between them and the candidates were to provide this service. Luckily for me, my Mom has volunteered to take up that mantle.
While not necessarily a Republican, she is much more of a mixed bag when it comes to political and social beliefs, and I think her assessments will be more in keeping with what I hope has been the constructive nature of the series. So, without further ado, proceed at once to her blog, The Lady of Light, for "The Substance of Mike Huckabee." I'll weigh in in the comments section of her blog.
Update: Devastating quote from my mom's Huckabee article:
"This sums up some of the issues as stated by Huckabee in his own words. His tax plan sounded so radical to me that I would recommend you read it for yourself on his website. I am not well versed on all of the tax plans and I am wise enough NOT to say I completed my CPA when I did not!"
P.S. While I was looking for video of Mike Huckabee on the Bhutto assassination, I stumbled across this hilarious gem. Kids are awesome.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 1)sheena10:39PMJan 10th 2008
Don't be a moron and vote for a mormon!
Bill11:14PMJan 10th 2008
Am I the only one, or is Huckabee the most terrifying candidate in history? Watching his rise in the polls is like a traffic accident.
Pat12:06AMJan 11th 2008
Do you 3 live in Arkansas? You have all pegged this idiot for what he is really is, A Blooming Idiot!!! I was under his reign of terror as the Gov. of Arkansas
zeezil12:17AMJan 11th 2008
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-97116-.html
Huckabee’s Liabilities
Politico.com ( http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1107/7000.html ) and others have reported that Mike Huckabee has had 14 ethics complaints filed against him, yielding 5 admonitions and $1,000 in fines from the Arkansas Ethics Commission. Instead of cooperating with the Arkansas Ethics Commission, Huckabee twice filed lawsuits to shut it down.
On a number of occasions, Huckabee failed to report cash payments he made to himself. For example, according to The Associated Press ( http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15853756/ ), Huckabee received, but failed to report, “$43,150 from his 1994 lieutenant governor's campaign for use of his personal airplane, $14,000 Janet Huckabee received from his 1992 U.S. Senate campaign, and $23,500 from a tax-exempt organization he incorporated with others in 1994, but whose funding source isn't known…”
According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Huckabee “depleted the governor's office emergency fund in the final weeks of his administration in part to pay for the destruction of computer hard drives in his office.”
According to a recent article in National Review ( http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZGMxOGI1ZjIwYzgwNDRiNzEzYzI1NmI5NjFiZGM4MjE= ), Huckabee had a penchant for accepting gifts while serving in public office. “A $200 stadium blanket, $250 in dental care, a $600 chainsaw, and a $3,700 pair of cowboy boots were among 300 gratuities Huckabee accepted totaling $130,000. Like the Clintons loading their moving van with White House antiques, Huckabee tried to claim for himself some $70,000 in furniture donated to the governor’s mansion.”
Federal Level:
2006: Supported President Bush's immigration plan and claimed that opposition to Bush's proposal was driven by "racism or nativism" and that it wasn't amnesty. (Ralph Hallow, "Huckabee 'Serious' About Presidency," Washington Times, 5/17/06)
Wrote in his 2007 book that implementing strict enforcement of immigration laws "would be sheer folly" and that it made sense to give "those here illegally a process through which they pay a reasonable fine in admission of their guilt for the past infraction of violating our border laws and agree to adhere to a pathway toward legal status and citizenship." (Mike Huckabee, From Hope to Higher Ground, 2007, p. 117-118)
Huckabee has released a 9-point immigration plan as a cornerstone of his 2008 presidential campaign. It is disingenuous at best, deceitful at worst. His plan repeal the current law of multi-year baring of illegals to re-enter the U.S. for illegals who register during a 120-day period with Homeland Security and temporarily exit the country (for only a few days, at most). It is also highly likely that many would not even leave the country but would be allowed to go to their nearest consulate on American soil for paperwork.
They would face no penalty if they apply to immigrate back to U.S. (they'd be back in within just days). He would not utilize the current processing and vetting of immigrant applications (too slow for him and their illegal employers) but would set up special processing for these ‘special case formerly illegal’ immigrants. He also would reward these lawbreakers (and their law-breaking employers) by legalizing the former illegal and then returning them quickly which would allow the aliens to keep the very jobs they broke into the country and took. The employer of the illegal alien would be without his worker for only a few days at most and upon their return would have the extra bonus of a newly minted legal employee. This whole process is known as Huckabee’s “touchback” provision, though Huckabee dodges the question if asked directly, which almost no one in the media has done.
http://www.alipac.us/article-2786-thread-1-0.html
Huckabee has the backing of the CFR (Council on Foreign Relations) which is a globalist, open borders, international world government organization headquarted in New York. The CFR's increased focus on Huckabee began with a speech on foreign policy posted September 28 on the Council on Foreign Relations website: http://www.cfr.org/publication/14335/mike_huckabees_speech_on_foreign_policy.html
The Sept. 28 speech, delivered at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C., focused entirely on foreign policy, portraying Huckabee as a supporter of Bush administration policy in Iraq and for the golbalist agenda. Curiously, the sudden rise in Huckabee’s surge in the polls coincided with the CFR’s backing.
Huckabee has told the Christian Broadcasting Network he had a theology degree, he told voters in Iowa he had a theology degree, he repeated the claim in November’s CNN YouTube debate ... but, his campaign now says, it was not true.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59222
In Arkansas:
As Governor, Huckabee fought for in-state tuition and taxpayer funded scholarships for illegal immigrants. He championed an effort in Arkansas to give in-state tuition at state colleges and taxpayer-funded scholarships to illegal immigrants, similar to the DREAM Act proposal at the federal level. (Laura Kellams, "Senators research U.S. law on aliens," Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 1/27/05)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BxJBUswOcQ
During the 2001 regular session of the Arkansas Legislature, Mike Huckabee supported giving driver's licenses to illegal aliens. Huckabee's spokesman during the entire process was Robert Trevino, Arkansas liason to the Department of Human Services. At the same time that he held this state position, Trevino was also the director of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). This group is a large, well funded advocacy group, of which part of their platform is advocacy for illegal aliens and reduced immigration enforcement and border controls. They explicitly campaign for amnesty and oppose any efforts of immigration control in order to maximize Latino voting power. In June 2005, Huckabee was the keynote speaker at the national LULAC convention in Little Rock and in his speech advocated for open borders and amnesty. He also called immigration enforcement efforts within the U.S. as “un-Christian, un-American, irresponsible and anti-life.”
http://dhgrassrevolt.wordpress.com/2007/10/29/mike-huckabee-advocating-open-borders-at-lulac-convention-in-2005/
http://209.85.175.104/search?q=cache:MXP_N1c68ewJ:arkjournal.com/2007/11/newsflash-mike-huckabee-supported-bill.html+Arkansas+Journal+blog&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=us
He opposed legislation to require proof of citizenship in order to obtain public benefits and to vote. When Republican state senators in Arkansas proposed legislation modeled after Arizona's Proposition 200 [to require proof of citizenship for voting and public benefits], "Huckabee described it as 'inflammatory ... race-baiting ... demagoguery.' He said the bill, which seeks to forbid public assistance and voting rights to illegal immigrants, 'inflames those who are racist and bigots and makes them think there's a real problem. But there's not.'" (Governor says anti-illegals measure could scare off companies like Toyota," Associated Press, 2/3/05)
Huckabee opposed a raid on illegal immigrants in an Arkansas poultry plant even though calls to his office were "about 1,000 to one" against his stance. (Melissa Nelson, "Huckabee Risks Political Fortunes To Denounce Immigration Raid," Associated Press, 8/5/05)
Helped lead the effort to open a Mexican Consulate in Little Rock to issue Matricula Consular cards to Mexicans living in the U.S. (including those in the U.S. illegally). Many banks, including some in Arkansas, accept the card as a valid form of identification. (Jon Gambrell, "Ark. Candidates Criticize Mexican Matricula Cards," AP, 10/18/06)
http://www.standardnewswire.com/news/742931899.html
In order to draw a Mexican Consulate to Little Rock, Huckabee huddled with some of the state's most prominent and politically powerful businesses to draw illegal immigrants to Arkansas to provide employers (mainly agricultural, meat processing and packing plants and Wal-Mart) with a large force of cheap foreign labor. Huckabee even went so far as to travel to Mexico in October 2003 to cement relationships with Vicente Fox, then Mexico’s president, to establish the Mexico – Little Rock connection. Additionally disturbing is that Huckabee enticed Mexico to Arkansas with a practically free use of office space (actually a paltry $1 per year lease) as their consulate was being built. Huckabee facilitated a consortium of Arkansas corporations pledge to fund the building costs of the consulate AND to financially support Mexico’s presence there during the first three years.
"Huckabee's real goal was to create the Mexican consulate as a magnet to bring illegal alien workers into the state," McCutchen said, "to benefit companies like Tyson Foods, Wal-Mart, OK Foods, Simmons Foods, George’s Farms, Inc. and a host of smaller operations who wanted to employ the illegals for their cheap labor."
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=58430
For 10 years, as governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee supported amnesty and taxpayer-financed welfare and health care for illegal aliens and increased taxes numerous times. Now, after sniffing the political winds, he poses as tough on illegal aliens and a tax-whacker. It is not that uncommon for candidates to state things that are politically expedient to get elected, then revert back to their DNA exhibited from their past records after reaching office. Huckabee’s past record is one of coddling illegal aliens, hiking taxes, shady ethics and liberal use of his power of pardon that enabled some rapists and murder’s to ply their trade once again after hitting the streets.
To deny illegal aliens tax-paid welfare and health care, plus low in state college tuition rates, would not be “Christian,” Huckabee said many times.
“As governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee aggressively pushed for the early release of a convicted rapist despite being warned by numerous women that the convict had sexually assaulted them or their family members, and would likely strike again. The convict went on to rape and murder at least one other woman.
Confidential Arkansas state government records, including letters from these women, obtained by the Huffington Post and revealed publicly for the first time, directly contradict the version of events now being put forward by Huckabee.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/04/documents-expose-huckabee_n_75362.html
During his time as Arkansas governor, a net increase of taxes to the tune of $505 million dollars was leveled on the citizens of Arkansas. (Sean Hannity radio show during a live interview with Huckabee on January 4, 2008)
"[Huckabee] hiked state spending 65.3%, from 1996 to 2004. He supported five tax increases. During his tenure, the number of state employees increased over 20% and Arkansas' general obligation debt rose by almost $1 billion.”
-Pastor Chuck Baldwin http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin411.htm
The Arkansas Journal blog has uncovered a video showing Huckabee begging the state legislature to raise taxes. He says: “Some have suggested [increasing the tax on tobacco at the retail level]. If that ends up being your preference, I will accept that. Others have suggested a surcharge on the income tax; that’s acceptable; I’m fine with that. “Others have suggested, perhaps, a sales tax; that’s fine. Yet others have suggested a hybrid that will collect some monies from any one or a combination of these various ideas, and if that’s the plan that the House and Senate agree upon, then you will have nothing but my profound thanks.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaJW7nXw30A
zeezil12:21AMJan 11th 2008
National Deception: Mike Huckabee and Jim Gilchrist Lie To America
http://www.alipac.us/article-2854-thread-1-0.html
January 9, 2007
CONTACT: William Gheen, Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC), press@alipac.us (866) 329-3999
Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and Minuteman Co-Founder Jim Gilchrist have been documented lying to America by the Washington Times today after false headlines ran on Tuesday proclaiming Mike Huckabee would try to remove birthright citizenship from the Constitution.
The article confirms that Huckabee lied on CNN about his campaign being contacted about Gilchrist's false statements and Gilchrist lied in a release about Huckabee's immigration stances.
Gilchrist put out a press release on Iowa's election eve, under the fake name of "Perry Emerson” that contained several false statements and embellishments of Huckabee's immigration stances. The release claimed Huckabee would try to reverse birthright citizenship laws, which are widely exploited by illegal aliens.
"We are doing our best to get the truth about these lies, and the hidden amnesty component of the Huckabee immigration plan to the public," says William Gheen of ALIPAC. "So far, the majority of the national media is not reporting these facts and voters wonder why they are hearing the news from us instead of CNN and Fox. This is a grand national deception in motion and it is absolutely blasphemous that voters are being deceived on a massive scale."
ALIPAC launched a campaign to warn voters about Huckabee's statements on Fox News on Dec. 9 2007, where Huckabee stated illegal aliens could leave the US and return within days permanently and legally. This information was only reported once on Fox and is not included in Huckabee's distributed immigration plan. The national media is not telling voters that over 84 immigration enforcement organizations, including multiple Minuteman groups, have rebuked Gilchrist's endorsement of Huckabee.
"When lies of this scale go unchecked by the media, it is no wonder that our nation is in such great peril today," said William Gheen. "The Huckabee and Gilchrist immigration deception is a national disaster in motion that will have far reaching negative ramifications for America. Mike Huckabee and Jim Gilchrist are successfully deceiving American voters and they must be exposed and stopped."
Copies of Gilchrist's fake name press release, the Washington Times Articles, copies of the video of Huckabee's "illegals back in days" comments, and the letter signed by the vast majority of groups fighting illegal immigration are available at www.alipac.us
All members of the media are asked to tell voters the truth before it is to late.
Jim Gilchrist's fake name false info press release about Huckabee
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-96732.html
HUCKABEE VIDEO! ILLEGALS COME BACK IN A DAY!
http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-551344.html#551344
84 Immigration Enforcement Leaders Rebuke Gilchrist Endorsement of Huckabee!
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-94112.html
prffsrx12:21AMJan 11th 2008
The Shift in Momentum IS FOR PRESIDENT HUCKABEE in 2008
Mike Huckabee is presidential material and is alone able to defeat Hillary & Obama. I am now convinced that those wealthier donors to Romney's, Giuliani's, and Thompson's campaign have wasted their money and if they continue, are wasting their hard earned money on candidates who do not have voter appeal or substance. As a member of the younger generation, I will tell you point blank, Romney, Giuliani, and Thompson DO NOT connect with us.
ROMENY has run out of gas. He has been the worst investment money could buy. His persecution complex makes him so defensive, weepy and wimpy that he cracks under pressure. His fake, calculated tears make him appear too weak before America and rest of the world. Romney’s negative campaigning reveals his unprofessional desperation and that he is really an unkind angry old man. BOTH Romney's and Giuliani's flip flop past makes them a liability and not an asset for republicans in 2008.
Every time Huckabee is heard his approval amongst Republicans and Democrats increases even WITHOUT major financial support. Just imagine what would happen if he got the major financial support. He is the Republican's secret weapon in the 2008 election. Huckabee's proven leadership can help bring America together as a team.
A message to the Anti-Christian bigots ...
Huckabee IS NOT running for PASTOR of the UNITED STATES; HE IS RUNNING FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES and HE IS WELL QUALIFIED TO LEAD.
Huckabee is the BEST candidate because he not only attracts republicans but also democrats to his side without compromising his principles. Both side support is needed to win this election in 2008 and he has it.
25 REASONS and COUNTING WHY HUCKABEE WINS THE NOMINATION and the PRESIDENCY
http://evolutionfacts.townhall.com
Dave12:41AMJan 11th 2008
Huckabee is trying to deceive everyone that he is a christian conservative. He is more favored by democrats than any other candidate on the republican side, because they know any democratic candidate will beat him like a drum. Grow up... Dump Huckabee. He is a loser.
riverton19531:13AMJan 11th 2008
OH YEA,,,,HUCKABEE FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
riverton19531:19AMJan 11th 2008
WHAT THE HELL DO ANY OF YOU KNOW ANYHOW. STATING THINGS ABOUT A MAN YOU DONT HAVE ANY SOLID PROOF ABOUT,YOU ARE ACTUALLY SAYING NOTHING MORE THAN PROPAGANDA. SO SHUT THE HELL UP. AND GET A LIFE
1-4-Romney2:50AMJan 11th 2008
zeezil- you summed it up!
Tommy,
I am a wee bit OCD about Huckster but I have never come across another candidate that was so polar opposite of what he claims to be and until recently just got a free pass. Anyone else minus the Baptist preacher title would have been laughed back to AR within a week of announcing. So, I am glad others have joined the anti huckster bandwagon.
Riverton- denial of facts does not equate to absent facts. The proof of these allegations is in black and white on court documents, budget reports, verified quotes, Hucksters own books, transcripts from taped press interviews, etc. Choosing to deny the existence of these facts does not change the fact they are at your fingertips. If you want to idolize Huckster despite the facts …then feel free... but don’t say the facts are not there. You just look foolish by doing so.
I know1:27PMJan 11th 2008
Well look what the GOP has to trot out this election. Almost as bad as the last one. As a resident of MA I would tell Mitt the nit to go back to the Olympics, with all the glitz, his being a phoney won't shine through.
leslie11:41PMJan 12th 2008
Romney is the man for the job. He is relgious like Huckabee, he is a great orator like Obama, he knows how to turn around the economy like Regan (sorry, no current candidates to compare him to)He has experience with foreign countries.Is bi-lingual, incredible family values.....etc. etc.etc
Ian12:34AMJan 17th 2008
They should quarantine AIDS and HIV carriers! How else do you see it ending? Unless we get a cure or vaccine what do you think? MANDATORY HIV TESTING WITH REFUSAL RESULTING IN IMPRISONMENT AND FORCED TESTING! I for one do not think people should get away with spreading HIV/AIDS. Get tested and quarantine, or watch AIDS become an increasingly larger problem as time goes on. Truthfully, I think Colbert would make a better candidate for president than Hillary Clinton or our current failure, George W. Bush. It's either Huckabee or Obama getting my vote. Whoever out of the two, that has the strongest chance, will get my vote. Out of everything I've heard these two make the best sense. Everyone else is America pissing towards the wind. You're going to get piss on you whether you like it or not. You might as well turn around and take the right direction.
Ian12:36AMJan 17th 2008
Kudos riverton1953!
Latest Elections News Headlines
Latest Politics Headlines
Most Commented On Posts
Most Recent Comments
Politics Video
Will.I.Am on Obama's Internet EmpireWill.I.Am ponders on how Obama and the internet have changed politics forever. (Oct. 3) | |
Mo Rocca 180: Dolly vs. AbeDolly Parton or Abe Lincoln? You must choose! | |
Reid: Presidential Politics Harming Bailout PlanSenate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday that the time has come for presidential politics to leave the negotiating table as lawmakers work to reach an agreement on a financial bailout plan. (Sept. 26) | |
Dems Blame McCain for Bailout Deal BreakdownSen. John McCain's self-portrait as a bold leader willing to set politics aside to save an endangered financial bailout plan took a pounding Thursday from top Democrats and even some fellow Republicans. (Sept. 25) | |
Street Team '08: Pigskin PoliticsA football game is the last place you'd expect to find political proselytizing, but this year Democrats are ready to make a hail mary pass in Idaho. Produced by Brian Rich of Idaho for MTV's Choose or Lose Streat Team '08 at chooseorlose.com. (Sept. 25) | |
| « See More Politics Video | |
Declare Yourself is a campaign that encourages young Americans to register and vote.
REGISTER TO VOTE NOW AT:www.declareyourself.org
lotharis110:07PMJan 10th 2008
Huckabee's a fraud. He's stated 1) AIDS carriers should be quarentined, 2) Jesus Christ would be against capital punishment,and 3) The theology degree, that he never finished, maked him the best candidate to fight terror. On top of the corrupt pardons as Gov. (More than twice Clinton's in half the time). The AIDS thing is a major clue that he's whacko. When he blasphemes, he's a complete fraud. 1st, I'm not a theologian, but Jesus went to the cross to become a martyr, if he thought it wrong he would've avoided it. 2nd, he LIED about posessing the degree. Instead, it's 46hrs(1yr) of seminar, w/o a thesis. He lied on at least 3 occasions about it, to get votes. Again, I'm no religious expert, but I'm sure there's a commandment about lying. Yet, these religious zealot Evangelical Christians flocked to vote and snub the more apt candidate Mitt Romney. Stop that from happening, and support Mitt Romney, the true compassionate conservative!